#beyond the mirror: mermaid power

[rubylarkspur22]

AU Master List

Since I expanded beyond KNY, I have decided to add on to make my page easier to navigate!

Demon Slayer/KNY

Sunlit Blossoms/🌸: My Swap AU where Nezuko and Tanjirou are swapped. Nezuko trains under Rengoku. Currently my longest running story!

Scattered Embers and Broken Hearts/🔥: Age/Fate Swap AU where Rengoku and Mitsuri are the main characters. Featuring an entirely different roster of Hashira, switching age, fate, or both with their canon counterpart.

Burning Ribbons/🎀: Shabana-Kamado Swap AU, featuring a Demon Slayer Ume, and the continuing parallels between these groups of siblings!(Plus some background WLW moms in the form of Kotoha and Shizu)

Sunflowers and Thundering Fireworks/💕: Ship Swap AU, where Kanao is the main character, Aoi is feral, and Nezuko has a body count. Among other such crazy turns of ships.

Moon Princess, Chosen Sunlight/🌙: Version 1 of the Kamado-Tsugikuni Swap AU. Nezuko(AKA Tsukihime) is Upper Moon One, and Tanjirou is the original Sun Breather. Featuring shenanigans galore, including Yoriichi stunning the Demon Slayer Corps with his pure skill. Michikatsu just wants to not have triple the eyes.

Ashen Moonlight, Sun Goddess/🌙: Version 2 of the Kamado-Tsugikuni Swap AU, with Nezuko as the first Sun Breather and Tanjirou(AKA Haikou) as Upper Moon One. Yoriichi continues to be supernatural by conquering the sun on day 1, as well as being the twin with the Ghost Aunt. Michikatsu is tired and desperately craves an uninterrupted nap.

Mirrored Sunset/🔄: Full Reverse AU. Demons are Slayers, Slayers are demons, Michikatsu is an overworked and underpaid immortal dad, and I've made the women as demons kinda terrifying in the power they wield.

Moonlit Butterfly/🦋: Kochou-Kamado Swap, where Kanae is trying to turn Shinobu back into a human. Nezuko is in desperate need of therapy, Tanjirou's trying his best from beyond the grave, and Kokushibo and Muzan are in for hell when Nezuko gets her hands on them.

Miyuri Koarashi/❄️: My KNY OC, the Snow Hashira. Mostly focusing on her canon AU story, but I may dabble in mixing it with my other AUs.

Legend of Spyro

Head Canons/✨: Ideas and theories pulled from both my head and outside sources(mostly the Pullen interview)

OC Stuff/🩵🧡: Stories(both "canon" and AU) about my two OCs for the trilogy, of are Spyro and Cynder's respective mothers. Canon AU has some angst, all versions heavily feature head canons that are from either my own mind, the fandom, or an interview with Jared Pullen on unused concepts for the games.

Swap AU/💜🖤: An AU in which the wrong egg went down the Silver River, but the Ancestors intervene in a desperate bid to try and stop Malefor for good. Spyro is raised as the child and heir of Malefor, and Cynder is raised peacefully in the Swamp. And the Guardians have some questions.

Human AU: AU I made while trying to practice dragon anatomy, where the characters are humans. May feature changes from canon, but mostly canon compliant.

Original Stories/💝

My original stories. They take place in the same universe, but different areas.

Refuge in Fire: A half-mermaid princess (Leilani)falls in love with a half-dragon(Thaleia), and faces the challenges that come with both her love and the new life that comes with it. Luckily, there's still plenty of support for both of them.

The Lunar Queen: The story of the Fae Queen Asteria, and the challenges she faces as Queen. Luckily, she’s not alone.

I tagged all the AUs in the tags. Feel free to explore them and send me asks about them!

[joannechocolat]

Mermaids and Mr Freud...

What do you think when you hear the word “mermaid”? Chances are, you’ll imagine a beautiful girl with a sparkling fish tail, naked breasts, flowing hair, gazing into a mirror: a scene straight out of early 20th-century Golden Age illustrators Arthur Rackham and Edmund Dulac. Or perhaps you see Ariel, Disney’s 1989 cartoon version of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid, with her cherry-red hair and purple shell bikini. That romanticized – and Disneyfied – picture of a mermaid seems fated to endure with this year’s live-action The Little Mermaid film (though the casting of Halle Bailey in the title role has prompted as much racist backlash as it has celebration. The mermaid of Andersen’s 1837 fairytale was white, say the purists.) But Andersen himself drew on a far older, stranger, and more subversive folklore to write his story. His tale of a mermaid who, falling in love with a human prince, is forced to sacrifice her tail and her voice in order to become human, was deeply influenced by Undine, the 1811 novella by Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué, which in turn was inspired by the 16th-century occultist Paracelsus, who coined the word “undine” to describe an elemental water spirit who can only gain a soul by marrying a human. And mermaid legends, like so many other fairytales, have been shared in many parts of the world for millennia. One of the earliest mermaid stories dates back to sometime around 1000 BC. In Assyrian mythology, the goddess Atargatis, who was venerated for thousands of years all over the Middle East, attains a half-fish, half-human form after throwing herself into a lake. The Yoruba spirit, Yemoja, who is represented as a mermaid, appears under other names as an ocean and river mother goddess – Yemaja, Yemanjá, Yemoyá, Yemayá – across half the world. Mami Wata – a water deity sometimes known as La Sirène - revered in Haiti and many parts of Africa, often appears as a mermaid, with a mirror that allows the passage from one plane of reality to another. And so it goes, from the ningyo of Japanese folklore to the sjókonar of Norse sagas. It is one of the most powerful archetypes in our shared dreaming. Nor were mermaids always understood to be mythological. Throughout the Middle Ages and beyond, European bestiaries and illuminated manuscripts portrayed mermaids as real creatures. On several occasions fishermen have claimed to have caught them in their nets. Early explorers reported mermaid sightings – although it is more likely that they were dolphins, seals or manatees, mistaken for mermaids by sailors expecting to encounter exotic beasts on their journey. Since then, humans have stubbornly continued to look for proof that mermaids are real (so far, without success).  What does the mermaid mean? Why is the half-fish half-woman such a potent, enduring legend? At the heart of these stories is the question of women’s power. Fairy tales and folklore have played an important role in challenging societal roles and giving people opportunities to discuss difficult or taboo subjects through the safety of metaphor – in this case, through the image of a woman whose irresistible sexual power over men is balanced by her own inability to function sexually or to reproduce. And in the days when pregnancy and childbirth often proved fatal, that might not have been such a bad thing. The mermaid cannot be raped, or forced to give birth. Not being human, she is not bound by the conventions of human society or the laws of the Church. She enjoys both the freedom and the sensuality of her element without any of the attendant dangers or discomforts. In folklore, the mermaid has independence, and can exercise sexual power over men, which makes her ultimately dangerous, unnatural: a monster. Perhaps this is why so many ancient myths and medieval bestiaries depict mermaids as untrustworthy, deceitful creatures, leading sailors to their doom. Their bodies are all sexual promise, but no sexual reward; and their voices are so enchanting as to drive men to madness. Unable to fulfil what some believe to be a woman’s biological destiny, they are often portrayed as soulless. Because a woman who uses without being used, who seduces without being seduced, who moves through water and air – whereas men are doomed to drown if they venture into the mermaid’s world – is a challenge to God, to the patriarchy, and to order itself.  In The Little Mermaid, Andersen tamed this older, more radical tradition. The moralism of his tale serves the dual purpose of mastering the mermaid – of making her fall victim to a human’s charms, rather than the more traditional way around – and taking away her power. The mermaid, made helpless by love of her prince, gives up her native element and the autonomy that comes with it, and exchanges it – via a witch’s spell – for a pair of feet, though walking causes her terrible pain. She also relinquishes the power of speech, which means that she is incapable of expressing her love in any way but the physical. And if her prince falls in love with someone else, then the mermaid is doomed to die on the instant, and to forfeit the soul for which she has sacrificed everything. Her entire being – her very existence – becomes dependent on the love and approval of her prince. Her independence, her challenge to the patriarchal status quo is gone. Though the ending of Andersen’s tale is – to a certain degree – redemptive (the mermaid, refusing to take the life of her prince in order to save her own life, is borne aloft by spirits of air and promised an eternal soul), it seems very cruel, especially as the heroine is only fifteen years old. A contemporary reader might well see in Andersen’s telling a warning to an emerging women’s movement – women’s power has often been seen as fragile, unnatural, and at the mercy of emotion. Unlike the tragedy of Andersen’s mermaid and prince (and of Fouqué’s Undine), the 1989 Disney film rewards Ariel and Eric with a happily-ever-after ending. And it tells their story in a cheery, colourful palette (a stark contrast to Kay Nielsen’s original dark, eerie concept drawings for the film), which while being pleasingly child-friendly, also reduces the mermaid’s essential alienness, and minimizes her sacrifice, thereby making her tale into little more than a love story with a little added jeopardy.

 But Disney also perpetuated other tropes. It is meaningful that the sea witch who provides the mermaid with the spell fits the older-woman archetype well represented in fairy tales: embittered by age, envious of the little mermaid’s youth and beauty. She is the one who demands the mermaid’s voice as payment for her services: a potent image of an older generation, silencing the voices of youth. (In Andersen’s telling, she too is the one who demands that the mermaid’s sisters cut off their hair in order to save their sibling.) The older woman is filled with rage and contempt for the younger woman; taking pleasure in their humiliation and the loss of their power. And as the tentacled Ursula in the Disney version, she is especially monstrous. 

  Over the centuries, fairy stories have always been reinvented to serve the needs of the changing times. And people have often fretted about this. (In 1853, Charles Dickens criticised the trend for rewriting fairytales to fit didactic, contemporary concerns.) But perhaps that the meaning of the mermaid has drifted further and further away from its origins in ancient folklore should not be cause for too much concern. Today, the mermaid has become the symbol of the trans community, whose members often feel the generational divide especially keenly. And there are endlessly imaginative ways to retell the tradition. (In 2008’s Ponyo, Hayao Miyazaki spins his tale of a goldfish who longs to be human into a charming meditation on childhood.) 

 Like the ever-evolving traditions of fairytales, magic, too, is transformative. In stories, magic acts as a metaphor for the change we seek to effect in our lives, in ourselves, in the world around us. Perhaps that is why fairy tales resonate so deeply with us. Why else would we cling to them, retell them in so many ways? They teach us not that magic exists, but that change is possible. They teach us not that dragons exist, but that monsters can be overcome. And they teach us to hope, in the face of a world that seems to be getting harsher and more confusing by the day, that sometimes love can save us, and that, even in the face of the cruellest kind of tyranny, we can still keep control of our fate, and hope for a happy ending –not just a Disney wedding, but something perhaps more satisfying. In films like Moana - or more recently Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken – the love story is with the sea; a story of claiming, rather than giving up power. Mermaids – in all their aspects – are still working their magic on us. And now, perhaps more than ever, it’s time to listen to their song.

[junowritings]

hi how about magical girl!mc? maybe from puella magi magica madoka, magical girl site, magical girl raising project or princess tutu dimensions would be fun.

In a world full of magic this would be a funny idea lmao. Not gonna lie most of my experiences with magical girls have been Tokyo Mew Mew and Mermaid Melody so i went with what I knew best!

Had to cut it short a lil bit before it got too long but hope it's alright~!

♡ Now that you really think about it, the world of twisted wonderland isn’t that different from your homeworld. You knew that your life was never going to be the same once you’d accepted that gift which gave you your powers, and showed you a side of your world that no normal person could hope to have seen. You’ve fought monsters beyond your wildest nightmares, learned things that sound as though they’ve come straight out of a fairytale, all in the name of protecting the earth and the people that you love. So what’s being transported to some far off land away from everything you’ve ever known? Sounds like an average Monday compared to your usual magical girl duties.

♡ Coming face to face with a flaming eared, loudmouthed talking cat trying to steal your stuff while you’re coming to in a coffin is weird enough, but not weird enough that you’d start to truly panic. In a way he reminds you of some of the magical companions that other magical girls from your world have - whether they’re contract creatures summoned to help fight or the ones that make their transformation possible. Thankfully you don’t need anything like that, you only need your special item that was given to you the day you took up your magical mantle, the one thing that you always make sure to keep close…

♡…which is currently being held in that monster cat’s damn paws.

♡And just like that you’re going from chilling in a coffin to chasing this fluffball - you think he kept calling himself Grim? - through darkened corridors and twisting hallways till you collar him at an imposing door and dive to grab him-

♡Only to go skidding through said doors and land face down in a room surrounded by unfamiliar faces, garbed in thick, decorated robes. Your first thought is you’ve unwittingly stumbled into a cult scheme - it’s not like it would be the first time - and the supernatural lighting and foreboding magic mirror hovering in the air only supports that theory further. You’re at least able to snag back your magic item in the following scuffle before Grim gets apprehended by an imposingly tall man in a bird mask (who may or may not look a little too similar to a villain you had to fight once), and just like that you’re 

♡ So much information is thrown at you at once; mages, the common and innate use of magic in everyday life, not to mention the fact you’ve currently found yourself in a school dedicated to the teaching and refinement of magical abilities. It’s like your first days as a magical girl all over again scrambling to take everything in at once. The mirror doesn’t sense any magic in you, maybe thanks to all of said magic being tied to your magic item, which for now seems to be a blessing - you still don’t know any of these people enough to trust them with the truth. So you play the part, feigning the part of the clueless, helpless normal person from another world until you can find your way home. Which unfortunately enough seems like it’s going to take a while.

♡ Most of your life before this was spent saving the world while keeping your identity under wraps, so you’ve got plenty of experience hiding the fact that you’re a magical girl. It’s almost kind of nice not having to worry about any monsters or villains attacking at any given moment, and even though it’s grating being constantly called a lackey by your new fluffy roommate you could get used to life at this school, where your only worry is having keep up your grades and try not to draw any unwanted attention to yourself or your predicament.

♡ If only you could stay out of trouble for longer than a day.

♡The monster in the mines is when anyone in Twisted wonderland gets to see what you’re truly capable of for the first time. It’s like if an inkpot got turned into a monster, and for a moment it does truly feel like you’re back home, squaring off against whatever beast has clawed its way out of god-knows-where. Your priority is protecting Ace, Deuce and Grim, and while you’d wanted to keep things a secret for a little longer you don’t have a choice if you want to help them. 

♡The mine is in such close quarters there’s no way you’d be able to hide the transformation, and the only warning that the boys have is a shout to cover their eyes before a bright flash of colorful light floods the entire tunnel, momentarily blinding everyone who didn’t heed your warning. The monster is stunned by the sudden flash and your teammates are shouting in confusion until the light fades and you’re still there but you’re different. Your hair’s changed, your clothes are bright and colorful and nothing like what you were wearing before; and unlike before you’re practically thrumming with magical energy, cracking at your fingertips and channeling into the weapon that materializes into your open hands as though it has always been there.

♡ You know that they have questions but the fight comes first, especially once it regains its bearings and lets out that deep, guttural scream that has the tunnel trembling and debris falling. The monster doesn’t stand a chance against the four of you working together - you have no idea what effect your powers have on the creatures in this world but whatever you do it’s enough to knock it down long enough for Grim, Ace and Deuce to land the deciding blows, and as you watch the beast crumble and dissolve into nothing but shadows you magic deactivates, returning you back to your original form now that the danger’s passed.

♡The silence stretches on for a moment, your party all fighting to catch their breath now that everyone’s safe, but the second things finally calm down-

♡ “Seriously?! What was THAT?!” 

♡ You don’t hear the end of it.

♡ You’re bombarded on all sides with so many questions you have no idea what to answer first. Ace is a little pissed that you didn’t mention having powers before the whole being attacked thing; Deuce wants to know what the hell you just did to get so strong all of a sudden; and Grim demanding to see it again so many times that in the end you get fed up and have to force them all out of the tunnel before you even begin to answer anything. It’s weird explaining everything to people that have no idea of the concept of magical girls here - from what you’ve gathered there’s some kind of mage equivalent that has become popular in certain types of media, but as for a real life magical girl that can transform a-la superhero style? Not as common as you once thought. 

♡ Grim’s determined to give your magic item a try now that he knows that it’s got a purpose, eager to know if the power could make him any stronger. You’re reluctant remembering the first time he swiped it, though after some pestering you eventually cave and drop it into his paws. He’s quickly disappointed after a few minutes of trying when nothing happens - looks like it only works in your hands, which makes it all the more special, and thus he easily loses interest in the whole thing.

♡ You have to have a serious talk about them all keeping their mouths shut about what they’ve seen (really stressing it to Grim who is aghast that you’d even think he’d brag about his magic minion - which he totally would). You’d rather not have to deal with anyone besides these guys knowing about it, besides,It’s not like you’re going to be fighting any other monsters like that while you’re here now that you have the stone to fix the chandelier. I mean, what are the chances of that happening again?

♡ Several times. It happens several times, and you wish you could say you were surprised.

♡ Knowing about overblots before seeing it happen to Heartsabyul’s housewarden would have been really helpful to know, and would have saved you so much trouble in the long run considering what followed not even a few days after the first fight. There’s no shortage of experiences where you’d have to fight people taken over by some monster or entity in order to break them free from its control back in your homeworld, but this is different. You have no idea what to do here, you don’t even know if using your magical weapon like before is going to help or harm Riddle further than he already is,so you end up having to do what you think is best: aiming for the huge, inky thing that’s forming behind him. 

♡ Trey has no idea what to make of you when you suddenly transform mid fight - he was so sure that Riddle had told him that you didn’t have any powers after the entrance ceremony, and yet here he’s watching you throwing magic he’s never seen before at the overblot behind his childhood friend like it’s second nature. Whatever you’re doing buys the vice dorm head and the other students a window to wear down the blot, and whatever questions get pushed to the backburner for later as everyone swarms Riddle the moment he’s finally freed from the overblot.

♡Once the danger’s passed you’re already preparing yourself for some kind of in depth conversation about your position here given that the headmaster was there to see the whole thing, but thankfully the others get to you first. The questions get repetitive, but you’re surprised to hear a sudden compliment on how cute your uniform looks as an arm loops over your shoulder and promptly tugs you out of the overwhelming crowd. Cater pulls you in for so many selfies showing off your magical girl uniform that your feet are killing you being stuck in the outfit for so long. Sure it’s fit for battle but that doesn’t mean it’s always comfortable, but Cater’s just charming enough to get away with keeping you in it longer than you should have - or maybe he was just trying to get the crowd off of your back as by the time he’s finished most of the people have gone from hounding you to talking amongst themselves about what’s happened. 

♡ A magical girl stands out like a sore thumb at Savanaclaw. Most of what happened at Heartslabyul is only spread through filtered gossip and official announcements from Crowley (who probably wouldn’t have told anyone if several people hadn’t seen it happen already), but enoughs got out to know that you’ve got magic. There’s the usual questions - why don’t you need a magic pen? How can you do it? What exactly can you do? It’s not as though you’re going to answer any of them, you don’t even really know everything yourself. 

♡Leona couldn’t be fussed honestly; why should he care when he can focus on more important stuff like taking naps in the greenhouse and avoiding his responsibilities. He’s uncaring right up until after the next overblot occurs. Sure you’re all ruffles and bows and accessories with a weapon that looks more like a toy than something that could do actual damage, but that magic of yours still manages to pack a hell of a punch. Don’t be fooled though, he first words out of his mouth once he finally comes to surrounded by everyone and you in that new form is about how ridiculous you look, followed quickly by a heeled boot to the side for the snark.

♡ Ruggie’s on the other hand is in stitches over how dramatic the whole thing is. The over the top transformation? The lights and the loud declaration that triggers your change? And don’t even get him started on the bright colors; were those sparkles?! Ruggie’s the second one getting a heel to the leg for the teasing, but that does little to deter him - he’s never going to let it go so get used to it. Jack’s about the only one who’s relatively concerned for your safety during the whole fight, but only because your powers mean that you have to get close to the overblot, way closer than you should. You know how to fight but the only thing between you and Leona is an outfit that looks more like a costume than anything that could offer proper protection; you’re going to have to show him that you actually have some sense of self preservation to convince him that he doesn’t need to worry about you slipping up.

♡ There’s no way you can hide the fact that you’re a magical girl by the time you interact with Octavinelle’s housewarden - that man is a living, breathing information hub of people’s secrets, and the fact that you’ve had to do show it off three times at this point is three times too many - there’s no way you can hide it now. He’s disappointed when you don’t offer up your powers for collateral during your contract signing back when your dormmate and friends get wrapped into his biggest scheme, but he understands - you’d be useless otherwise, and the twins would have a far more boring time trying to get in your way if you didn’t bring at least something new to the table. That and Azul is so sure that you keeping your powers won’t help you that he’s willing to compromise and take your dorm instead. 

♡There’s no telling if it’s a good or a bad thing that the Leech twins take interest in you, and not just because of the contract ordeal. They already know who you are and what you can do thanks to Azul, and while magic itself is nothing to bat an eye at it’s enough to draw their attention. Jade is definitely the one to be wary of - he’s got no issue letting his brother have fun pestering you all about your little powers but you know that he’s keeping tabs on everything that you say. (Also telling you now if your magical girl design is plant or animal themed you’re going to be in for a rough ride because they’ll want to know what makes you tick). Floyd finds it cute and amusing - this little shrimpy can change how they look? How funny! Can and will pester you to show him at any given moment way before the overblot actually ever happens. You nearly end up caving when you deal with them at the coral sea, since your magical girl form would make outmaneuvering the twins in their own territory somewhat feasible, but he’s all pouts when you don’t fall for his poorly veiled attempts to show off what you can do.

♡ By the time that the holidays have rolled around the interest has thankfully died down. Once the novelty of your abilities has faded into the background you can go about your school life with some sense of normalcy - maybe you could get used to magical life here; no villains of the week, no magical prophecy only you can fufill; you don’t even need to hide your identity anymore, a far cry from the gymnastics you had to pull everyday just to make sure your family and friends didn’t know what you did for a living. You don’t think that there would be anyone wanting to talk your ear off about the whole being a magical girl spiel…until you end up at Scarabia.

♡ There’s no way at all that you’re going to get away without telling Kalim alllll about your time as a magical girl. He thinks that it’s so cool! And would gladly spend the whole day listening to you talk about all of the people you protected back in your homeworld and the enemies you either defeated or saved. In fact that’s exactly what ends up happening, talking together while the dorm comes together for a welcome feast as he drinks in each and every tale that you decide to tell him and humoring his questions when asked even if you’ve heard them a hundred times before.

♡It gives you a lot to think about; everyone’s been more focused on what you can do here rather than what you did back home. It’s a sobering reminder that you’re not there anymore; it’s not like you were the only magical girl there, so you’re more than sure that everyone is in safe hands, but what would you tell your friends? Your family? They don’t know what you do - would they even know you were missing. 

♡It goes over his head that you’re feeling homesick until Jamil seamlessly cuts in, gearing the conversation away to something else in the way only someone who’s been dealing with Kalim for years can accomplish, and you’re more than a little grateful for the chance to change topics to anything else. Jamil’s good at reading cues and adapting accordingly, which in all other circumstances would be a welcome gift; however in the context of the chapter 4 blot it couldn’t be more dangerous. He knows enough about what you can do and if you’re dangerous enough to be deemed a threat whilst understanding enough of your situation to get into your good books.Lets just hope that your magical girl experiences have trained you to catch onto his plans before things get too far out of control…

[liminal-zone]

fanfic round up 2023

(2021, 2022)

LIST OF FANWORKS

Posted

Crave (LOTR | haladriel | tentacles and rings of power | rated E)

somewhere in the haze (LOTR | Celeborn/Sauron | mutual stockholm syndrome | rated M)

taking me with your song (The Little Mermaid (2023) | Ariel/Eric, Ariel/Ursula | tentacles and possession and mindfuckery | rated E)

can't escape the ghost of you (The 100 | clexa, clarke/the judge | being fucked by the divine wearing the face of your dead lover is better than therapy | rated M)

Eating fire (SPN | Claire Novak | the girl who was castiel grieves for her fathers | rated T)

Bound (SPN | megstiel | a demon and her angel | rated NR)

uncharted territory (Supergirl | supercorp | the dangers of being hated by a luthor | rated M) (technically, just chapter 4 counts for 2023)

nothing can go wrong when you're in love (Nimona (2023) | Nimona/Gloreth | when your boss’ boyfriend looks like your ex, ugh! | rated Gen)

through a father’s eyes (Narnia | King Lune | dads gotta dad | rated Gen)

atomic blonde (Narnia, LOTR | Susan/Eowyn | it’s not the first time a power beyond understanding ripped Susan away from her home to fight in another world’s war | rated M)

Beware how you give your heart (LOTR | haladriel | a fourth age haunting | rated M) (a wip!!)

a little touch in the night (LOTR | haladriel | a love letter in tiny bites | rated T)

+three yuletide offerings to be revealed in January!

WIPS

MCU: the king and queen of Asgard wrt Valkyrie/Carol Danvers

MCU: the final conclusion of my winterbaron sugar daddy fic

LOTR: Doriath trash party wrt Melian/Galadriel

LOTR: “Sauron becomes a tree”

LOTR: dark Galadriel/Samwise and their garden of the world

LOTR: healing generational trauma with fourth age Arwen and her peepaw

The Matrix: Trinity and Smith as mirrors

Good Omens: Crowley haunted by his angel

Star Wars: A really scandalous dinluke sex pollen

Total number of completed works/fandoms written in: fifteen completed works in 2023 for a total of just over 32k words; six LOTR, two SPN, two Narnia, the rest sundry & various.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: ::taps the top of this car:: you can put so much monsterfucking in this bad boy, jfc.

PERSONAL FAVORITE: Getting unblocked by the most unlikeliest of sources and FINISHING MY SUPERCORP HATESEX. uncharted territory finished FIVE YEARS LATER. This has been a weight on my shoulders for years; I always knew it ended with a sadistic Lex Luthor torturing Kara (oop), but it was time passing and The Flash (2023) that got me where I needed to be to get that banged out. I’m really really pleased how that ended, and that I actually can finish a WIP.

MOST UNDERAPPRECIATED: Bound is really exceptional. It was part of my WIP amnesty week, and a revisitation and remix of a meg masters fic I wrote in 2013 after I had a terrible life-altering accident. My favorite 2023 additions are how she can only speak in the language of Sodom at the end. It’s not a GREAT fic, but I really love Meg and I love Meg & Castiel.

MOST POPULAR: Definitely Nimona (nothing can go wrong when you're in love) with 1,200+ kudos. Y’all, the teen/gen fic in younger fandoms hits hard. OOPS. re: my deeply funny stats for the little mermaid tentacles fic with over 3k hits and 86 kudos. AHAHHAHAH. welp.

STORY WITH THE SEXIEST MOMENT: OKAY, so this is sexy specific to me: in Crave, Galadriel taunts Sauron about how he has to fuck Ar-Pharazôn (a mini love letter to my beloved 5ummit!) and this, to me, is everything: “And you’ll never enjoy Ar-Pharazôn’s little prick again,” she says, drinking in the horror of his recent memories, a soured scheme. “Your play at feigned pleasure in service to a base creature will be ash in your mouth now. You will only think of the taste of my cunt with his cock shoved in your whore mouth.” The crass words burn on her lips but she can sense how he trembles, even in this form. “You’ll hunger for the taste of me. And when he’s dead, when you’ve sucked the miserable mortal life out of him, you’ll never take a lover again for the rest of your unnatural life,” she says. “You know where your dick should be sheathed. In me and no where else.”

MOST FUN STORY TO WRITE: Okay, I traveled for work a LOT this year and one night I was feeling down and angry about the world and asked on twitter that for every like, I’d write a soft haladriel headcanon and by the end of the night, i had the bulk of a little touch in the night and I was such a happy delighted lil soul. Such a highlight of the year.

HARDEST: A tie between Crave, which was writing on hard mode since I’m violently anti dominant Sauron (oop), and uncharted territory since I had been blocked for years.

BIGGEST SURPRISE: The delicious lush connection of Celeborn/Sauron in somewhere in the haze that STARTED AS A JOKE and now I’m full rarepair conspiracy theory into it.

DID YOU TAKE ANY RISKS IN WRITING THIS YEAR? Posting SPN in 2023, lol what was that. And neither of them explicitly destiel. Girl. Both tanked but I love those two fics.

MOST UNINTENTIONALLY TELLING STORY: Okay, one of my yuletides this year is really too close to something I’m working through in therapy. Oop.

FAVORITE LINES/SCENES: Okay literally everything in atomic blonde, that fic is nonstop bangers imho. I love this especially:

“Ah, there it is,” he replies. Stops, and turns to look into her eyes. To drink in her fury. “This isn’t your world, Daughter of Eve. Take your cursed horn and your beautiful face and take the little shieldmaiden too for all I care and leave Middle Earth to me. Grow old and find joy in women’s work.” He blinks, nonsense words emerging out of him: “In Christian Dior dresses and Chanel lipstick, in Italian leather handbags and silk nylons, in handsome British officers and those American boys who offer more than kisses, in the rumble of a Jaguar and the cries of healthy babies who do not fear war. Live and die on an island far, far away.” He blinks again. “I do not want you here.”

MY FAVE PART OF FANDOM IN 2023: Repeatedly saying “you hear me, baby? hold together” at the haladriel fandom like Han Solo does to the Millennium Falcon and we did! We made it another year!!! Let’s go, 2024!!!! (YOU HEAR ME, BABY. HOLD TOGETHER.)

2024 WRITING AMBITIONS: same as last year’s: Write more steadily and consistently. Get back into the drabble mode. Make time, take time, just do it. It doesn’t have to be groundbreaking, it just has to be creating something. The joy of creation is like nothing else. Chase that high.

2024 FICS ON THE IMMEDIATE HORIZON: Jan 1 - htp trash fic exchange Feb 3 - rffa exchange March - haladriel exchange!

[shockersalvage]

Danganronpa Kirigiri - List of Detective Library members & their monster reps

In Danganronpa Kirigiri, the Triple Zero detectives of the Detective Library were based upon/referenced four types of monsters in fiction: ghost, werewolf, vampire and doppleganger. I always thought that was a pretty cool choice for Kitayama to go down and go to thinking what other types of monsters the other detectives would represent.

Which is basically what below is - a list of every named Detective Library member and monster would best fit them, in book order. As well as who represents the four monsters I mentioned above.

Main Duo:

Kyoko Kirigiri - Angel of Death (Now for Kyoko's monster I wanted something that best represents Kyoko's relation with Death and, ultimately her benevolent nature behind her stonefaced mask. So I chose her as the metaphorical Angel of Death - someone who brings about the end of those who have Fallen by uncovering the truth behind their misdeeds. Yet, in doing so, is also saving lives of those that were in danger because of the Fallen's actions. She also attends a religious school so it ties back well with those origins.

Yui Samidare - Powers (A type of angel in Christian theology and apart of the Middle Order of angels. Her whole thing is being a detective to protect others from evil and Powers are types of angels that hold the power to dispel or defeat evil. Also calls back to Yui being from a religious school. If I had to choose something else, I'd make Yui a guardian angel to match Kyoko being an angel of death. But, for reasons below, decided to forego it to complete another set )

DRK1:

Kou Inuzuka - Hellhound (Kou surname 'Inuzaka' contains the word for dog in Japanese, and Kou himself is an arsonist. Of the reps, I think this is one of the most fitting I've come up with)

Eigo Amino - Robot (Eigo is said to have zero presence or stands out, and he's a detective that poses as a businessman AKA a cog in a machine of office life. So I figured a robot was the best thing to compare him to)

Shiita Enbi - Zombie (Based upon the whole deal with him being dead all along, and also Tadashi's deal with having no legs, so kind of shambling about, reminds me of those types of zombies in horror games or shows)

Johnny Arp - Werewolf (From DRK Vol 6 - referred to heavily with wolfish traits or personality)

Gekka Ryuzoji - Vampire (From his design & titles; he's heavily based upon Count Dracula from the titular novel)

Rei Mikagami - Ghost (Comes from his epithet of 'Ghost in the Mirror' and his own ghostly ability to seemingly disappear from the scene with ease. Honorary mention goes to 'unicorn' given that's what his alias, Licorne, means in French).

DRK2:

Taehime Uozumi - Mermaid (Made her mermaid given her surname, Uozumi, is literally 'sleeping with the fishes'...and, okay, the pun with her fake profession was too tempting to pass up)

Suisei Nanamura - Father Time (Suisei is obsessed with time and managing it, so making him Father Time seemed pretty natural

Mikado Shinsen - Doppleganger (From his epithet, the Variationist, and skills as a master of disguise. Honorary mention goes to him being referred to as a Shinigami/Reaper by Chage and the connection he does have with the dead)

DRK 3

Hajiki Yaki - Devil (His DSC card is 666 which is considered a devilish number in Abrahamic religon, and his own thing is being a detective that goes against gambling - a type of deal with the devil?)

Salvador Yadorigi Fukuro - Gorgon (Okay, now, admittedly, this one is one of my weakest, but was inspired to call him a gorgon due to his own whole thing with his special eyes, and how he stunned Keisuke from DRK4 with the look of them. Stunning? Turning people to stone? A stretch? Kind of, but I still think it also kind of works so...)

Sachi Mizuiyama - Elf (Okay, beyond her getting an elf because she's short, was also inspried to give it to her based upon elves appearing young when they're actually older - something that's been pointed out about Sachi - and how elves/fairy-ish folk tend to have skewed moralities. Something that skewed me towards Sachi and her whole deal)

Korisu Kakitsubata - Succubus (Also one of my weakest, yet this one just feels so fitting. She dresses provocatively and acts seemingly benevolent, but that's hiding a malicious front to get away with claiming a soul. Plus, another case of her being related to fire and Succubi being from Hell - it just kind makes itself work out)

Suntetsu Shirasu - Underworld Gatekeeper (Chose this after a lot of internal debating, but decided this might be the most fitting? Like Gozu & Mezu or Cerberus, Suntetsu's actions decided who remains in the living and who has to remain in the afterlife. If there was a more fitting word for this type of monster, I'll gladly hear it out)

DRK4:

Tsukiyo Nada & Nazuna Toakitsu - Dominion & Virtue (Types of Angels in Christian theology and apart of the Middle Order set of angels with the Powers. Tsukiyo is Dominion given they govern celestial bodies & Tsukiyo's name refers to the night sky itself - ok that and her domineering personality. Naz is Virtue since one of its job is to bolster faith, and Naz is the most supportive of the duo in terms of helping out Yui to Salvador to Tsukiyo as well. Plus, they round out Yui being Power and also coming from a religious school)

DRK5:

Tatsutora Oboro - Bakaneko (Ok, the weakest one out of the lot, but also didn't really want to spend too much time on a minor guy like Oboro. As such, with part of his name, 'Tora', meaning tiger the idea that came to mind was a simple monster cat!)

DRK 6:

Motosuke Suzuyari - Yeti (He's in the icy mountains, described as being kind of wild looking. It writes itself)

Ayako Saiko - Witch (@drmedicsgamesurgery holds credit for the intiial placeholder as being a 'Mad Scientist'. However, mad scientists aren't technically monsters, I decided to swap it with the mad scientist of monster: a witch)

DRK 7:

Shiroko Yukimura - Yuki-onna (I got this based upon her part of her name 'Shiro' meaning white and the fact she appeared in a snowy setting)

Senshi Kadomi - Giant (Big guy with a knack for violence to get what he wants? Yeah, Senshi was pretty much hardlocked into being a giant from early on)

Kanji Yuhain - The 1st Horseman/Conquest/Pestilence/White Rider (I went with the 1st Horseman of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, after being inspired from Yuhain riding to Sirius on top of a white horse which symbolizes conquest or pestilence in the modern age. Both fit Yuhain as a guy who seeks to conquer the detective world as the King of Detectives and given his corrupt nature, he can very much be considered a pestilence.)

[mistressofduskanddawn]

AZURA OF THE WATERS

[IMG ID: A depiction of a mermaid from the game Elder Scrolls Online. She sits upon the rock, body turned at an angle towards the viewer with her eyes closed. She sits upon a rock, her tail descending towards the water filled with lilies. Her hands rest beside her as the sunlight shines upon the statue, creating an image of beauty.]

come view this post on wordpress!

AZURA HAS MANY CELESTIAL ASPECTS, befitting of a dawn and dusk goddess—from the beauty of its lightful vanity, to the liminality and magic, to the gates of heaven and homes—Azura at her core is liminality and celestial wonder, as the Sun and Moon pass through her Lorkan-hearted gates. In this manner, she could even be considered rather consistent in her appearances and behaviour—at least compared to the other Daedra across Tamriel’s myths.

One aspect that I have encountered, one the game teases itself, is that of an ocean-fairing Azura. And the more I interact with my mistress, it becomes more of a logical conclusion than merely a gnostic experience—branching into this world’s history of mermaids and the power of the liminal sea. 

ESO AND THE MERMAID STATUE 

A detail of the Lore that I enjoy thoroughly is that of the mermaid statue within [0], which in game is speculated to be Azura. Within canon there is arguments on whether or not this is actually Azura;

The Mermaid of Anvil is a statue of mysterious origin. The statue of a beautiful, half-fish half-woman seems to be older than the city of Anvil itself. Due to the impressive scale and grandeur of the statue, many theorize it depicts some sort of forgotten god or an unrecognized aspect of one of the Divines. Some scandalizing but notable rumors claim that the statue depicts Azura as she appeared to some ancient sea-dwelling civilization. However, what is known of extant aquatic races like the Sload and Dreugh casts doubt on this idea, as races such as them are not known for creating works of such beauty.

Of course, as this confirms my gnosis in part, I do think it is Azura—the feminine figure matches how she often appears in her more human depictions. 

THE SEA, LIMINALITY, AND THE ASPECT OF SEA-BORN VANITY

The sea within itself is often a picture of liminality: deities such as Helios and Selene are depicted descending into the depths of Okeanos to arise again, Ran of Heathenry keeps to her dead there, and water is known for its ambiguity and flow. Death and the beyond lies head of the coast line—and even more mystery lies in its waters, even today as we do not know much of what dwells beneath. As a gatekeeper of not only the crimson gate but of holes and thresholds, I can easily see her on the water’s edges as she opens the heavens with her dawn and dusk. It helps that some lore ascribes Hermaeus Mora to controlling the tides—the sea is linked to memory in Nirn, after all.

Comparing Azura to the likes of Eos and Thesan of our world traditions, she can be seen as a “gatekeeper” of the heavens. Azura, as described with the version of her that opens the heart of Lorkan, allows Magnus and the Moons to rise into the sky. I do see Azura of the sea in this—wading on the edges to open the day and night. Something that surprises me yet is the lack of sea lore within The Elder Scrolls. Except of course the nature of water-side and depth-dwelling races, which have seldom been depicted within Nirn. And if the mermaid statue of ESO is Azura—her as a mermaid becomes only more solidified with their association with vanity, beauty, and mirrors: 

A mermaid’s accessories also revealed deeper symbolism, with her mirror and comb representing vanity (not to mention the duality of one’s soul outside the body) and her flowing hair signifying fertility. Sometimes, mermaids would hold a fish instead of a comb, which probably further symbolized her link to the fish as an early symbol of Christianity. By the medieval period (the fifth to fifteenth centuries CE), churchgoers throughout Europe worshipped in spaces decorated with overtly sexualized mermaid imagery. Church leaders, meanwhile, cultivated an intimate knowledge of these strange creatures through myriad texts, art and sculpture. Such ubiquity helped to facilitate general accept- ance of, and belief in, mermaids. — Merpeople, A Human History, Vaughn Scribner

Azura as a mermaid comes naturally when I look at what a mermaid is—a picture of liminality between land and sea, a being associated with vanity and the alluring call. I can imagine her descending into the depths of memory and fate, then emerging once more as the pink rose-hair beautiful elven woman I often see her as. 

— Piraakyuonliv, Dovah, Follower of Azura

References

Jeffrey M. Hurwit. (2017). Helios Rising: The Sun, the Moon, and the Sea in the Sculptures of the Parthenon. American Journal of Archaeology, 121(4), 527–558. https://doi.org/10.3764/aja.121.4.0527

Kingshill, S. (2021). Merpeople: A Human History. Folklore, 132(3), 329–330. https://doi.org/10.1080/0015587x.2021.1911091

Lore:Azura – The Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages (UESP). (n.d.). https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Azura

[gobboguy]

Chapter 16: The Thorn's Gambit

Under the shroud of night, Alden, the Sword of the Forest, donned his armor, its silver surface reflecting the muted glow of Farfield's protective thorn barrier. Beside him, Elara, her goblin features determined, prepared herself for the daring sortie beyond the city walls. Clutched firmly in Alden's grasp, the magic sword Eleanor pulsed with an ethereal light, its blade sharp and gleaming with arcane power.

With purposeful strides, Alden approached the thorn barrier, his eyes fixed on its dense, prickly expanse. With a whispered incantation, the sword Eleanor came to life, its blade glowing with a vibrant green aura. With a swift, commanding motion, Alden swung the enchanted sword, and the thorns before him parted like a living curtain, allowing their passage.

Outside the city walls, the night was alive with the sounds of battle. Farfield skirmishers, their faces painted with determination, rode alongside Alden and Elara. They struck at the Orcs from the rear, their swift attacks disrupting the enemy lines before retreating into the cover of darkness. Alden, his connection with nature resonating in his veins, summoned the power of the plants. Vines snaked from the earth, ensnaring unsuspecting Orcs and pulling them into the shadows, their cries silenced before they could alert their comrades.

Meanwhile, Eleanor, guided by Alden's skilled hand, hurled enchanted potions with pinpoint accuracy. The vials exploded upon impact, unleashing bursts of magical energy that wreaked havoc among the Orc siege machines. The Orcish contraptions crumbled and burned under the onslaught, their destructive potential nullified by the Sword of the Forest and his mystical blade.

With their mission accomplished, Alden and his allies swiftly retreated, their horses thundering back towards the city. Behind them, the thorn barrier closed, sealing Farfield once more within its protective embrace. The night fell silent, the echoes of their daring sortie fading into the darkness, leaving behind a trail of disrupted Orcish plans and a city that, for a fleeting moment, had tasted victory amidst the encroaching chaos.

Amidst the bustling activity along the ramparts of Farfield, young Twig moved with an agile grace, his lithe form darting back and forth like a shadow. He tirelessly supplied archers with quivers of fresh arrows, ensuring their bows remained strung and ready for the next volley. His hands moved deftly, efficiently exchanging empty water skins for full ones, and delivering provisions to the soldiers who manned the defenses. With unwavering dedication, he kept the defenders well-armed and hydrated, his youthful energy a beacon of hope amidst the encroaching darkness.

Beside him, Leaf, her eyes alight with determination, channeled her magical abilities to infuse water, wine, and food with potent emotions of courage and bravery. Her presence in the kitchens was a whirlwind of activity, as she moved with purpose, her fingers tinged with the shimmering aura of magic. Soldiers found solace in her offerings, their hearts emboldened by the emotional fortitude she infused into their sustenance. With each meal she prepared, she provided not only nourishment but also the strength of spirit that would be vital in the days to come.

Meanwhile, Aquata, her mermaid tail concealed beneath a cloak, worked tirelessly to maintain the city's water supply. With swift, graceful movements, she refilled barrels and containers, ensuring that the defenders had access to fresh water even in the heat of battle. Her magic resonated with the very essence of the sea, and with a wave of her hand, she caused the city moat to surge and swirl, transforming it into a formidable whirlpool. Any Orc foolish enough to attempt crossing it found themselves trapped in the watery vortex, their futile struggles mirroring the desperate situation of Farfield's enemies.

Together, Twig, Leaf, and Aquata became the silent pillars of support, their contributions invaluable in bolstering the city's defenses. Amidst the chaos of war, their unwavering determination and extraordinary abilities shone brightly, illuminating the path forward for Farfield's courageous defenders.

[banyan-mental-health]

Famous Cartoon Characters with Mental Illness

It often happens that we don't realize the negative, dark, or serious aspects of cartoons until we're adults. In our youth, we believed many cartoon characters were seemingly innocent. The reality is they exhibit characteristics that reflect various mental health conditions. Although this shouldn't be used as a diagnostic tool, the intention is to raise awareness of symptoms that often go unnoticed.

Cartoon Characters With Psychological Conditions

Alice: Throughout her journey in Wonderland, Alice exhibits symptoms of schizophrenia. She experiences hallucinations and delusions, seeing talking animals and encountering a hookah-smoking caterpillar. These manifestations reflect the common symptoms of schizophrenia, such as distorted perceptions and altered reality. Alice's struggle to think clearly, manage emotions, make decisions, and relate to others aligns with the challenges faced by individuals with this serious mental health disorder.

Ariel (The Little Mermaid): Ariel's fascination with human gadgets and her collection of various items from the human world point to hoarding disorder. She struggles with the fear of discarding possessions and has difficulty parting with objects, a common trait of individuals with disposophobic disorder or hoarding disorder. Ariel's underwater cave filled with an assortment of human trinkets serves as a metaphorical representation of her attachment to possessions.

Bruce Banner: Bruce Banner, known as the Hulk, grapples with dissociative identity disorder (DID). Following exposure to gamma radiation, he experiences a transformation into a powerful and aggressive alter ego, the Hulk. This dissociation of identity, where different personalities take control at different times, mirrors the symptoms of DID. Bruce Banner embodies the struggle of living with multiple distinct identities and managing their impact on his behavior and emotions.

Charlie Brown: Charlie Brown exhibits characteristics of avoidant personality disorder (APD). He constantly feels inadequate, socially inhibited, and fearful of negative judgment or rejection. Despite his preoccupation with his shortcomings and the perception that others don't like him, Charlie Brown continues to engage in various activities and challenges, demonstrating resilience in the face of his psychological issues.

Eeyore: Eeyore, the gloomy character from Winnie-the-Pooh, represents dysthymia, a persistent depressive disorder. Eeyore's pessimistic outlook and persistent sadness go beyond the usual scope of temporary sadness and reflect a chronic low mood. He experiences symptoms such as lost interest in activities, hopelessness, low self-esteem, low appetite, and low energy, which are typical of dysthymia. Eeyore's character portrays the long-lasting nature of this form of depression.

Elsa: Elsa from Frozen displays symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD). She isolates herself from others, experiences loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, and struggles with extreme guilt and low self-esteem. Elsa's iconic song "Let It Go" reflects her need to conceal her emotions and put on a facade of strength. Her portrayal captures the essence of MDD, which negatively affects her emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, leading to a profound sense of sadness and a withdrawal from the world.

[what-a-strange-thing]

the little mermaid was a fool

didn’t she expect to end

up as foam on the waves?

this is the dilemma of life

isn’t it

we love

and hurt for it

we live

and die for it

a scream

from deep

in all of our bones

where the softness of marrow

is protected by hard shell

bones that will remain

upon the face of the earth

far beyond our perishing

meat rotten

or devoured

we are all fools by birth

but we aren’t dealt the same cards

and sometimes

we aren’t even playing the same game

the game is rigged

and justice is a dream

or a helpful illusion

that serves as justification

for those in power

tear down the castle

set the tower ablaze

dismember the crown

smash the jewels

grind the idea to dust

that some are more deserving

you cannot earn your place in this world

the earth mothers us

she gives all we need

and we don’t have to pay a penny for it

the land is everyone’s

lay down in the sweet, soft meadow grass

let the sun shine down upon you

see how the trees do their alchemy

light into matter

what magic!

we are alive

we are alive

we are alive

and this life might be a whole-ass paradox

but that doesn’t mean you have to get a headache

I don’t have the answers

and I am so tired of pretending I do

I used to write stories with neat little plots

growing orderly rows of bland vegetables and colorless fruit

only raising questions I could kill off

in order to believe I had resolved them

I am in the era of embracing dissonance

the wilderness stretches beyond the fence

potentially, possibly

limitless

don’t go without your bow and arrows

don’t go without respect and proper caution

but never going, I don’t know

it just feels wrong

each window is a mirror

our souls are as wild as the deep forest

full of creatures that only come out at night

with glowing eyes

they are untamable

and somehow

I am glad

[silkeared]

“i  think  so.  she’s  a  beauty.”   ender  had  always  thought  so,  and  always  felt  inexplicably  drawn  to  dresses  with  moons  on  them,  silver  jewelry,  things  that  mirrored  the  goddess  that  lit  up  the  night  sky.  since  her  little  …  accident  …  she  had  grown  a  lot  closer  to  the  moon,  had  learned  to  understand  her  influence  and  her  power  beyond  little  calendars  and  fancy  scarves  in  urban  outfitters.  “and  everyone  is  impacted  by  her  moods  in  some  way,  aren’t  they?  i  think  my  friend  is  —  he’s  a  mermaid,  and  he  was  a  little  weird  this  last  full  moon.  not  to  mention  my  brother’s  furry  friend,”  her  lip  peeled  back  in  an  almost  sneer,  “i  bought  him  one  of  those  pet  air  fresheners,  you  know?  but  every  time  i  go  over  to  his  apartment  there’s  always  this  weird  lingering  smell  of  new  puppies.”

who: juniper & open [ 0/5 ] where: wherever you'd like.

whenever  the  full  moon  came  closer  ,  juniper  often  found  herself  looking  at  the  sky.  it  was  one  of  life's  big  mysteries  ,  something  she'd  never  been  able  to  work  out  and  that  had  intrigued  researchers  for  centuries.  it  had  been  the  one  light  she'd  had  in  a  past  life  and  as  much  as  she  considered  herself  a  woman  of  facts  she  could  appreciate  the  romantic  mystery  of  it.  "do  you  think  the  moon  knows  the  power  she  has  over  us  ?"  it  was  said  to  no  one  in  particular  ,  though  she  cast  a  quick  glance  to  the  side  at  her  companion  ,  wondering  if  such  things  moved  them  as  well.  "i  mean  ,  she's  so  strong  and  has  had  the  most  clever  of  people  confounded.  i  want  to  know  if  she  knows  all  she  does  to  ,  or  for  ,  us."

[locktobre]

I don’t think I brought it up in my original post about the movie but how in the fuck does “Isla” go from “two mermaids are missing from the eight mermaid lineup chosen by the Golden Pearl” to “OBVIOUSLY one of the mermaids is my human friend Barbie so I should immediately summon her here”

what the fuck is that. what the fuck IS that. WHY IS THIS UNIVERSE SO BARBIE-CENTRIC!!!! I know that sounds like a stupid question considering she is the main character but that doesn’t mean everything has to fucking revolve around her AGAINST ALL LOGIC

[stained-glass-cicada]

Dungeons and Daddies Monster AU

(Because I'm mentally ill)

The oaks- easy, werewolves obvi. It's about passing a monstrous part of yourself onto your kid. It's about partners marrying into the family and not having this monstrous thing in their veins and it's about love wolves and power wolves. It's about Lark and Sparrow having romulus and remus vibes

Wilson's- okay okay hear me out, Frank built Darryl like Frankenstein, and beyond the dumb name pun it feels good because theres this huge degree of intention in how he raised Darryl that most dads don't have, then the same for darryl, he built grant and blames himself for grant being sad,

Link specifically- grant and marco found lincoln who is something angel adjacent I think, wings, guardianship. Oh oh angel is also good because hes the first in their line who isnt catholic but he is someone who has absolute and total faith in the goodness of others

Stampler's- willy is a shapeshifter, it's about the ability to manipulate people, to be what they want to see so they let him do what he wants, Ron is a shapeshifter too, it's about molding yourself so that others are happy. It's about hiding when you're scared

Terry Sr., Samantha, terry jr.- vampires, for riffing on canon, also for the vibes of ron actually not understanding Terry's needs,

also I like Samantha having become this to be with Terry Sr. And maybe regretting it when he dies because now she's this Forever. And the next guy shes with is someone who meets her where shes at rather than the other way around

Scary- Listen I know this one is sadder than most of these but I want her to be a ghost. I love the concept of a ghost Becoming goth. She has been hurt previously and shes gonna scare away this weird vampire that moved into the house she and her mom are haunting

Close's- fae. Music, drugs, partying. All things in excess especially excess. The way it mirrors their canon lifestyle being a detriment to those around them because once you enter a fae party you never leave. The trickery aspect from bill and Glenn's conman days. The secrets part of fairies, and glenn being so guarded about his deeper feelings

Fosters- listen I KNOW they're already demons and that's very fun but I'm thinking Sirens/mermaids. Not just because I want to see jodie shirtless (I do) but because Music and this almost Little Mermaid-esque theme of denying where you came from for love? Maybe jodie gave up his fins after saving Morgan from a shipwreck! Idk I just also like the implications for Nicky generally. Then Taylor later on having that call to like- nature and the sea. and he ends up being his weird little swashbuckling survivalist self

[detectivejigsawpines]

The Ultimate Disney Villain Showdown-Part Four

...Well, so far people's lack of actual interest is a little discouraging, but nonetheless I will press on with the final part that I'm sure you've all been waiting for: The Magic Users.

Coachman (Pinocchio)

Human (Maybe)

Kind of a metaphor for child trafficking and/or a rewrite of Greek mythology's Circe

Does a remarkably good Wario impression

Strengths: Whip, demonic laughter, persuasion, deceptively jolly-looking appearance most of the time, creepy demon henchmen, apparent ability to forcibly shapeshift others

Weaknesses: Risk of future lung cancer

VERSUS

Judge Doom (Who Framed Roger Rabbit)

Toon

Obvious villain

Played by Christopher Lloyd because the directors were too scared of Tim Curry

Strengths: Cartoon violence, intimidation, the Dip, physical strength, shapeshifting, henchweasels, played by Christopher Lloyd, cane sword

Weaknesses: The Dip, has to adhere to rules of cartoons just as much as anyone else

****

King Candy (Wreck-It Ralph)

Video game character

Control freak

Sore loser

Strengths: Deception, manipulation, strength and speed (in giant bug monster form), flight (also in bug monster form)

Weaknesses: Skybeams (in bug monster form), insecure regarding masculinity, can't handle a little glitching

VERSUS

Oogie Boogie (Nightmare Before Christmas)

Resident of Halloween Town

No-Account

Insectaphobe's worst nightmare

Strengths: Ability to turn into the shadow on the moon (?), henchkids (sometimes), awesome theme song, ability to breathe deep and pull people towards him like a reverse Big Bad Wolf, deceptively fast for his size, unafraid of cheating

Weaknesses: Greedy, self-serving, cowardly, just unravels the moment things don't go according to plan

****

Headless Horseman (Ichabod and Mr. Toad)

Legendary

Maybe magic, maybe mundane

Just trying to get ahead in life

Strengths: Horse, sword, flaming pumpkin, undead (possibly), terrifyingly awesome laugh, catchy theme song, ability to pose dramatically against the moon

Weaknesses: Might be just Brom Bones in disguise, running water

VERSUS

Horned King (The Black Cauldron)

Lich

Warmonger

Terrible boss

Strengths: Voiced by John Hurt, knack for making dramatic entrances, necromancy, barbarian army, gwythaints, intimidation, patience, manipulation

Weaknesses: Tendency to monologue to rooms full of dead people, abusive to underlings, temper, in a movie that's sadly underappreciated

****

Evil Queen (Snow White)

Witch

Evil Stepmother

Based on Joan Crawford of Mommy Dearest infamy

Strengths: Potions, magic mirror, deception, manipulation, intimidation, huntsman, absolutely fabulous makeup

Weaknesses: Jealousy, vanity, pettiness, softhearted minion, lightning, virtually no nose, can't tell the difference between a pig heart and a human heart

VERSUS

Yzma (Emperor's New Groove)

Emperor's advisor

Mad scientist

Probably reached octogenarian status decades ago

Strengths: Potions, cunning, scary beyond all reason, experience, surprising strength and agility for someone her age, manipulation, voiced by Eartha Kitt

Weaknesses: Kronk, vanity, temper, wrath

****

Dr. Facilier (Princess and the Frog)

Witch Doctor

Designed to resemble Baron Samedi

Or possibly a pimp, depending on your point of view

Strengths: Manipulation, friends on the other side, half-truths, psychedelic powers, voiced by Keith David, cane, living shadow, genuinely catchy theme song

Weaknesses: Can't use magic on himself, temper, wrath, bad at paying back his friends

VERSUS

Rasputin (Anastasia-yes, I know it's technically not a Disney movie, but Disney owns WB so just let me have this)

Yet another lich

Yet another person who's been overly villainized by dramatic license

Russia's greatest love machine

Strengths: Durability, evil magic reliquary thing, voiced by Christopher Lloyd AND Jim Cummings, totally awesome villain song, tenacity

Weaknesses: Impatience, temper, henchbat whose heart's really not in his work, falls apart whenever things don't go his way

****

Ursula (The Little Mermaid)

Sea witch

Half-octopus thing

Just can't wait to be queen, for a change

Strengths: Deception, manipulation, preying on emotional vulnerability, potions, transformation, pet eels, other magical powers, yet another catchy villain song

Weaknesses: Animals can sense her true nature (and they really, REALLY don't like her), temper, not immune to wood

VERSUS

Madam Mim (The Sword in the Stone)

Magnificent

Marvelous

Mad

Strengths: Shapeshifting, willingness not to play by the rules, adaptability, can change into a giant purple dragon, slight manipulation

Weaknesses: Sore loser, temper, germs, sunshine

****

Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty)

Sorceress

Or maybe a fairy, it's kind of ambiguous

One of the scariest villains Disney has ever come up with

Strengths: Magic staff, pet raven, ability to shapeshift into dragon, creepy leitmotif, intimidation, evil laugh, lightning, fire, teleportation, hypnotism

Weaknesses: Incompetent minions, petty grudge-holding, not immune to swords

VERSUS

Magica de Spell (DuckTales)

Sorceress

Scrooge McDuck's archnemesis

Yet another in a long line of abusive parents/guardians

Strengths: Magic amulet, manipulation, patience, dramatic declarations, intimidation (as long as she has her powers), pun-tastic sense of humor

Weaknesses: Pettiness, amulet that's not indestructible, canes, being kicked in the ribs

****

Jafar (Aladdin)

Sorcerer-turned-genie

Former grand vizier

Should never be put in charge; he tends to go mad with power

Strengths: Snake staff, charisma, hypnotism, phenomenal cosmic power (in genie form), intimidation, manipulation, terrifying laugh, deception, willingness to play dirty, voiced by Jonathan Freeman

Weaknesses: Arrogance, itty bitty living space (in genie form), temper, impatience, jealousy, unwillingness to be second best, being smashed in doors

VERSUS

Emperor Belos (The Owl House)

Former human

Long-time witch hunter

Current despot of the Boiling Isles

Strengths: Manipulation, gaslighting, ability to change into a giant gray-green sludge monster, intimidation, deceptively soft voice, secret-keeping, patience, persuasion

Weaknesses: Tendency to throw people away when they're no longer of 'use' to him, addiction to palisman soul thingies, addiction to killing Grimwalkers, inability to recognize own imperfections, obsessiveness, bigotry, splatting against walls

****

And last, but certainly not least...

Hades (Hercules)

Death god

Murderous uncle

Hothead. Literally.

Strengths: Immortal god of death, manipulation, ambition, patience, biting sarcasm, fire power, intimidation, ability to unleash his inner used car salesman on a dime

Weaknesses: Temper, semi-competent minions, jealousy, weakness for making deals

VERSUS

Bill Cipher (Gravity Falls)

Dream demon

Immortal being of pure chaos

Will return some sunny day

Strengths: Manipulation, possession, chaos magic, deceptively cute, nice hat, nice singing voice, piano playing, willing to play the long game, creepiness, enjoys pain-his or anyone else's

Weaknesses: Can't handle damage to his eye, temper, impatience, desire for instant gratification, existing as either an overpowered teenager or an overpowered toddler depending on the situation, prideful, greedy, can only control you if you let him in

[agentrouka-blog]

Re: Sansa and the little mermaid.

In one version of the tale she desires a soul as mermaids have none. And in the end she ascends to an air spirit with a soul when she refuses to kill the Prince and awaits her death. Air spirits swoop in and she turns into one.

I'd see it as another queen foreshadowing that through her kindness she ascends against all temptations of returning to being a mermaid.

That is, in fact, the original version of the tale, as written by Hans Christian Andersen. :)

I think the reason GRRM adapts this specific story in various versions is exactly that reaction by the Little Mermaid.

Her dream is shattered. The prince does not love her and marries a different girl, and not only must she carry that heartbreak, she will also be punished for it: death and dissolution.

She could choose the dagger, she could turn around and destroy this dream she could not attain, kill the prince and return (in theory) to her previous form, as if she had never dreamed at all. But no, she still chooses the dream, even if it remains unfullfilled. She chooses the pain if it means keeping the idea of that dream alive.

That is an incredibly typical angle for Hans Christian Andersen, this exquisite sadness that is encompassed in accepting the disappointment of a shattered dream, without the protective layer of rejecting that dream. The Mermaid chooses to love without hope of it being returned. She refuses to destroy beauty because she could not possess it herself. It's a beautiful sentiment, it is life-affirming. And for that she is rewarded. She can earn her eternal soul as a spirit of the air. Eternal life and an alternate happiness.

GRRM uses this theme in the books. It is not just Sansa, though she has the most direct mirroring of the Mermaid. It is also Gilly, and it is Samwell, and it is Ellaria, it is Brienne Brienne Brienne. Characters who choose to bear the pain they feel and then move through it and beyond it, without resorting to destroying, even in their mind, the thing they could not have.

The anti-thesis to that would be a character like Lady Stoneheart, who obliterates the way Catelyn once asked Brienne to turn away from vengeance. It's Dany who burns away her pain and reaches for unadulterated power.

Arya herself is a little Mermaid who is holding that dagger in her hands and agonizing over it, essentially. Salty, half-fish dancer that she is. She will make her true choice in good time.

This theme of how we deal with grief and shattered dreams is absolutly central to the series, and likely also at the heart of the ice and fire conflicts. Do we kill the pain inside us and our heart in turn, do we turn our pain outward onto others? Do you muddle through? One more step, one more step? Even if the steps feel like knives?

So, yes, I think to a certain degree the crown at the end is symbolic of a victory for those who muddle through, even if they struggle, but it should not be seen as a consolation price. The crown is a political reward for a humane approach to ruling. Sansa gets to be queen in the end, just differently to how she originally thought.

But that is not the only thematic end-point of Sansa's arc.

Her arc is political as well as romantic, and one cannot replace the other.

We should not forget that GRRM is dealing with stories in variants. And the Little Mermaid has its own variants, specifically mirrored in Sansa. Look at this lovely post by @butterflies-dragons and specifically the GRRM quote at the bottom.

Out of all the Little Mermaids swimming around in asoiaf, the redheaded princess is very likely to get her prince, get her dream. Just also a little different from how she originally thought.

[kjmsupremacist]

Felix sweet boy baby angel but Christopher Bang is literally Satan? Idk if you saw but Hyunjin ratted him out on live and said the lyrics for Red Light were toned down. I don’t want to know. I don’t. He was already talking about edging and I don’t want to know. He can keep his Scorpio Venus and his Sag Mars away from me and everyone I love. I would give anything to know his rising if sign. It’s giving Earth but there’s so much air in his chart it’s hard to be sure. 🤖

i am so happy you sent me this ask because i have been looking for an excuse to talk about red lights. I sent leon and margot a seven minute long voice message when i was doing my research for my red lights-inspired fic like that's where i'm at.

First, yes, I saw Hyunjin's comments! that's what chris gets for trying to say hyunjin wrote all the lyrics in the first place. nice try, chris. also, his scorpio venus is SEXY. i won't be taking criticism on this opinion.

Now. Please see under the cut if you want to watch me dissect Red Lights -- both the lyrics and the MV.

so, credit where credit's due--I skimmed this and this reddit posts while I was doing my research.

now. we all know that on the surface, this song is about sex (and specifically bondage and edging—that much is clear). but, ah, how's the saying go? "everything is about sex except for sex, which is about power"? sure.

yeah, it's meant to be sexy. they did that for us and im still not sure if I want to kill them for it or thank them with my life. BUT, as they mentioned in the howl in harmony video, it's primarily a song about obsession.

The first reddit post does a great (albeit kind of aggressive) breakdown of the lyrics, where it becomes really clear that they're talking about the relationship they have with their work and the relationship they have with fans. In essence, the song is about how they want to give their lives and all their time to making more content for fans so that they will continue to receive love from us. The red lights are actually the recording light on a camera (hence the line “set the mic up”).

And so a relationship like the one depicted here is dark and intense, and yes—passionate and driven by love—but ultimately, it consumes itself in the vortex of its own desire, and then peters out into a sort of blank monotony—learned through repetition, a habitual reflex instead of a true reaction.

Then, the second reddit post goes on a deep dive of some of the symbolism seen in the MV—specifically, the use of kink. This is where it gets really fun.

We mostly see Hyunjin in shibari-style bondage. OP posits (and I agree) that he is meant to represent passion without discipline. The shibari ropes are tied messily (and so therefore dangerously) which is perfect for representing how often kink (and other obsessions) can devolve—you plunge in headfirst, but you are directionless except for the insistent tug in your gut that cries for more, more.

Chan, on the other hand, is seen primarily (esp in solo scenes) bound by heavy chains. He represents discipline with no passion. In the Howl in Harmony video, I believe he mentions that after a long day of practice, he'll still find himself in the recording studio, even though he's tired. He does what he has to on autopilot, because he knows he must, because it’s the only thing he feels he can do.

If Hyunjin is mania, then Chan is depression. The chains are GREAT symbolism because this dutiful march towards burnout and beyond is, as the lyrics suggest, stemming from a desire to keep receiving love (from fans)—that if you just work hard enough then no one will ever leave you. You wish to bind the person (or people) you love to you, but in the end the bonds only weigh you down.

So then the part where they’re tied together, back to back, at the end, shows when passion and discipline come into balance. And that’s creation for the love of creation while still maintaining a respect for yourself, the art, and your audience. (or idk. maybe they just thought we'd like to see them tied to one another. and they were right).

It's also fun because while we see Hyunjin and Chan both assume positions of domination and submission, it's clear Chan is meant to be the “dominant force” here (hence discipline). The reason we do see instances of Hyunjin in power (choking Chan, standing over him on the table) is because any somewhat healthy d/s relationship involves first the surrender of power. The dom is only perceived to be in power because the sub first relinquishes it them. So. You know.

I will say I'm not sure what to say about the edging theme (BNKSJDF) besides the obvious—almost giving you what you want, but not quite.

And finally, this is not part of either of those two reddit posts, but I was ENTHRALLED by the use of mirror and mirror-esque imagery throughout the MV and in the choreo. I love mirrors as a symbol so we're going to talk about that, too.

First and most obviously, it may be a bit on the nose. In art, mirrors and reflections are often used to show that there is a deeper meaning than what is clear on the surface. So this might have just been hyunchan going "hey! it's not just about sex!"

but I think there's more to it than that. Mirrors are often used as a vessel of truth—in some Chinese myths, for example, mirrors can repel demons, as they will show a demon’s true form. Or see the Little Mermaid—though Ursula managed to change her outward appearance, she was caught in her lie when another character (sebastian, i think?) saw her reflection in the mirror.

Additionally, one’s reflection used to be thought to contain one’s soul—which is why mirrors were covered in the home of person who had just passed, so they would not be trapped as a ghost in the world of the living.

For this reason, mirrors are often also considered dangerous. Think of Narcissus, for a start, who fell in love with his own reflection and sat at the water's edge, pining, until he fucking died. Or consider the following quote (which I love) from Fernando Pessoa:

“Man shouldn’t be able to see his own face – there’s nothing more sinister. Nature gave him the gift of not being able to see it, and of not being able to stare into his own eyes. Only in the water of rivers and ponds could he look at his face. And the very posture he had to assume was symbolic. He had to bend over, stoop down, to commit the ignominy of beholding himself. The inventor of the mirror poisoned the human heart.”

We use mirrors to watch ourselves watching ourselves (and the Margaret Atwood who lives in our heads cries “male fantasies, male fantasies! You are you own voyeur!”). We perform for the mirror—often what we see in the mirror is not actually how we are seen by others! We think we may find truth there, when in reality it is a distortion. Ties itself up really nicely, I think.

In any case, this really goes well with the theme of obsession in the song—staring in the mirror asking, what do others see? What is wrong about me? What can I do better? The idea of looking in the mirror to seek what others see, both positive and negative, is common throughout. And I think their use of mirrored choreo (esp when it seems like one of them is the reflection!!), as well as mirror placement on the set of the mv, and ESPECIALLY the lovely bit at the end where they both stand staring carefully at their own reflections, all work to drive that theme home.

and i don't even know how to touch on all the color symbolism (when it changes between color and b&w?? the palette being overwhelmingly yellow and red and black???), or the lens filters (warping, blurring, etc), or the way they superimposed pieces of the video on top of other pieces, or the use of that one stark white background—without writing a fucking dissertation (and this is already a ridiculously long post) so i'll just stop here.

This is all to say, maybe what they meant was that the lyrics were a lot more aggressive about these themes and they were asked to tone them down to keep it neutral.

or maybe they're just sexy, sexy motherfuckers and their managers bonked them on the head and sent them to horny jail.

[insomniac-dot-ink]

The Siren’s Mercy

CW: themes of death and dying

-----------------

Her throat was dry. Every swallow hurt like fire. Her thoughts drummed along to a steady beat of: water, water, water. It was almost foolish because water surrounded her in every direction. But that water was dark as suffering and cared nothing for her ills, it would not save her.

Mal curled up in place on her cramped dingy and rested for a moment. She ached all over and her lips were cracked and bleeding again. She wondered how badly it would hurt-- to die like this. She wished for water so badly there was no space left in her for anything else.

She closed her eyes tightly and time slipped by her with no rhyme or reason. There was something about helplessness that erased things like that. It was only belatedly that she felt a tremor go through her body as the little boat hit something. She blinked her gummy eyes open and sat up.

Her eyebrows rose as her boat had run into a small sandbar with an outcropping of sharp rocks just beyond that. She considered getting out and walking her boat somewhere else, but what was the point? She swallowed and it almost broke her.

Mal was about to cover her head and return to her moping when her eyes caught on something on the rocks. She paused and her mouth fell open without permission.

A creature was positioned on the rocks with her head tilted backwards and lips pressed shut. Her hair fell in lovely red sheets and she wore a headband around it that looked like it was made of kelp and seagull feathers. She had a sheer blue shawl wrapped around her and scaly legs dipped into the water. She was nude and holding something like a small harp on her lap.

Mal continued to gape. It made no sense that a lovely young woman would be sitting placidly out there in the middle of nowhere. Nevertheless, Mal knew what she was the second the woman cocked her head to the side.

She had heard stories about this ocean. She had heard the songs and the lore and how the men of these parts watched the waters. They could appear in many shapes: mermaids with razor sharp teeth, women with bird-bodies and human heads, or lithe breathtaking almost-maidens that could slip through the water like glass.

Her eyes were too wide though. Her gaze too vacant. Her nails ended in curled claws and her proportions were just slightly uncomfortably off.

The true strangeness though was that she wasn’t singing.

Why wasn’t she singing?

Mal put her head in her hands. She took a deep breath that rattled in her chest and then looked up again. It took what was left of her strength to summon the words.

“Go on then.” She narrowed her eyes. “Get on with it.” It came out as a rasping croak and not the least bit commanding.

The siren blinked her otherworldly eyes at Mal and placed the harp down next to her. She cocked her head to the other side this time and Mal found herself close to rolling her eyes.

“You got a brain in there? A head on you? You’ve killed enough men for it.” She sighed. “And you show ‘em, right? You show them their greatest desires.”

It didn’t sound like a bad way to die. She could see her dear Agatha again. She could sit by the fire on dry land and hum her favorite drinking songs. She could be clean and well-fed-- no more knots in her hair or hunger gnawing holes in her belly.

Or else she was just going to listen to a truly terrible song about water.

The siren made her first sound, it was a little chirping noise like a songbird. It was slightly unnerving as well.

“I know you can sing!” Mal found some relief from yelling, just a bit of release after everything. “Am I not worth your time?” She stood up and rocked the boat back and forth. She shook her fist. “Am I not good enough for the songs of the great and powerful sirens? Come on you scaly bastard, I’m as good as any of the other men of these seas.”

It’d be quicker this way. It’d be almost fitting.

The siren unwound the shawl from around herself and made Mal blush for just a moment before she slipped under the water like light entering church windows. It shouldn’t have been possible. She slid through the water in the same dream-like way and then popped up right next to the boat.

She chirped.

Mal groaned and sat down. “You want something?” Of course she wasn’t just going to be eaten by a siren, she wasn’t so lucky. Like any good lady she was going to have to entertain first.

She reached into her bag and took out the few belongings they tossed after her when she was banished overboard. “Here.” She pushed a silver comb over to the creature. “Pick your teeth with it.”

The siren delicately reached out her taloned hands and took the thing. She turned it over and over as if to find some new side of it after each twist. She cooed at the light glinting off of it and her own warped reflection.

“Yes, yes,” Mal said grumpily. “Pretty object for a pretty murderess. Are you going to give me what I want now?”

She couldn’t believe she had to prove herself to the devil before she got to be taken down to meet him like a proper sailor. She supposed she could just jump overboard but the thought of letting the ocean claim her after all this time turned her stomach. Better to perish on a boat then give the damn sea the satisfaction of going willingly.

The siren perched her chin on the side of the boat and reached her hand out. “We doing this again?”

Mal couldn’t find it in herself to care. She lifted up her mother’s pearl-inlaid mirror and handed it over. It was an heirloom, as she was always reminded, but the best kind of revenge was served with a side of irony.

Let a creature with no sense of lady-ship be the lady of it.

The creature stood then and gripped the mirror firmly. She stared at herself with a type of perplexed aw as she turned her head back and forth. She watched herself very closely for close to a minute. Finally, she let a small musical note that made Mal ache in ways she wasn’t sure was possible.

The siren glanced at her one last time and then dove headfirst into the water without so much as a spare death-melody. Mal lay back in the boat and let the sun wither her to pieces. ------------------- She wasn’t sure how much time had passed when she finally managed to pry her eyes open again. She had hoped the thirst would become a dull distant pain-- the hunger certainly had, but if anything it was worse.

Water, water, water the drumbeat went.

She stared up at an endless splattering of stars. The coolness kissed her cheeks and at least it was night time.

The boat rocked gently and chirps like birds sounded just outside her line of vision. She forced herself to stand up with pins and needles drilling through every muscle. There were three of them then.

The red-head, a blonde, and brunette. They all had long shiny hair, perfectly smooth unblemished skin, and bodies like portraits. It was fake of course, the stuff of dreams, but these things peddled in dreams so she heard.

They gave her one long look as they stood on the sandbar only feet from her. They blinked in time. They each put out one hand.

“You’re not even going to sing for me?” She heard herself complaining like a young girl. “Not even gonna try to tempt me overboard? You just expect me to go?”

She sniffed indignantly. She stood. She placed her bare feet in the cold, silent waters and started to walk. She dragged herself over to them and only then did they begin to sing. It wasn’t like anything she ever heard before and some part of her knew this wasn’t their usual tune.

She closed her eyes as the unearthly melody overcame her. It was the voice of crashing waves and pattering rain. It was blustery arctic winds over ice and piercing sunlight through clouds. It was gasping and choking and prayers before darkness.

It began as a slow hunger, a craving, a tugging from her very core. She had wanted to die, to be released, but the sirens never gave what you wanted. They showed it to you and then took it away.

Mal felt hands dragging themselves down her body, running themselves down her arms and legs and disrobing what was left of her ragged clothes. She was being pulled underwater and submerged in over her head. She wasn’t going to be like them though, she couldn’t be, but what were wishes without someone to grant them?

Her bones twisted. Her skin thickened. Her thoughts filled with grime and storms and purpose. She didn’t scream. The sirens claimed her in the family of things and when she opened her eyes she was shiny as the dawn and pulsing the power of gods and monsters.

She knew then she would never get that place by the fire. Never get to see Agatha one last time. Never see herself dry or clean or fed.

She grinned. She burned. A new sea witch was born in the only way they ever do: out of misplaced wishes and a song for everyone who is lost and given no way home again.